Home from the scope & feeling goofy

Ok. So I am home. I had a stricture that was dilated without drama. Thank God!!!   The surgeon said my biggest problem wasn't the stricture (though he did shake his finger at me for waiting so long to tell him cause "It doesn't get that bad overnight"). He said the inside of my pouch looked like "an open wound". I saw the pics. REALLY nasty!!!!! It isn't an ulcer   but was all oozie!!! If I wasn't nauseous before "THE PICS" I most certainly was after!!!! Gross!!!

Anyhoo, I have a script for carafate(?sp?)   and was told that to deal with the foamies that sometimes come with this problem, I should (are you there Gina), drink water with lemon before my meals!!! (sounds familiar, huh?) He also said that pickle juice will also break up the mucus that causes some of this stuff for some people.  He was very clear that there was no science to this, just his experiences working with WLS patients and what they say works for them. I Love my surgeon!!!   And for the record he did point out with some finger wagging that THIS didn't happen overnight either, and that I need to call him sooner.   He reassured me that I wasn't bugging or harassing him. He said that this is his job and he loves figuring out the puzzles. I guess that means I'm one of those puzzles!! LOL

So. I'm sore. The Dr said I would be swollen for a day or two from the dilation, and that because I started out so small that I may need another dilation down the road if I continue to have problems. BUT... I am NOT claiming that. I will be fine now!!!!

Question for those that have had these dilations, did you experience chest pain after? I'm thinking that where it is (up by my shoulder) that it's probably just pain from the gas. I'm so doped up right now (they put some nice versaid(sp?) in my I.V.) that I'm not all that worried about it!!!! HeHeHe!!! Such a nice thing to do considering the hour+ it took us to get home in the downtown Atlanta rush hour traffic!!! Stop-Go-Stop-Go... OUCH!!   

So Anyways... Here's to happy healing and a healthy recovery!!!!!!!  Now I'm going to bed!!  Thanks everybody!!!   -Julie

Julie, you know what? I like your surgeon. He actually listens to his patients and passes on info that works for them.

I'm glad all is done. We won't let you wait so long again. You stay hooked in here with us, ok? Now, have some lemon or lime water when you get up and stay hydrated until you can get back on your protein and vites. I'll keep the swinging lizards in low hover for you.

--gina

I'll try to remember to start listening to my pouch more and the wonderful people here, too.  I should have been listening to you all along!!!!

I'll stay hydrated mostly with the feeding tube tonight, except for a few popsicles for my throat. I'm just gonna give myself a break for a bit. I was having a big issue with vomiting after the EGD. Now my whole belly is sore!

I LOVE my surgeon, too!!!! He actually listens to you. He doesn't interrupt and he is sincere in his concern for his patients!!! I'm glad he listens to others as well as he listens to me, and then is willing to look outside of "science" to pass on helpful info. He is the greatest!!!

Thanks for the low hover lizards!!! That gave me a chuckle!!!

 well  I DONT  like Ur surgeon  ..cuz its OBVIOUSto me that    not making U  EAT  `because he gave U   an extra  food source    IS the problem .... 

had U been eating NORMALLY  like the REST if US U wouldnt have a stricture ..... U need FIBER and FOOD to go through that stoma and  channel and pouch ..  DUH ....

What? Strictures don't happen because you have a TPN. If you can't eat due to complications the TPN is a life line.

Thank you. This kind of "blame game" is not helpful to those of us unlucky enough to have complications.

I think we might be heading towards fighting words if you don't get your information straight!!

I have the g-tube for other pre existing conditions.There were lots of other issues that I choose not to go into here. But mine was not your typical WLS. The ONLY thing I get through the g-tube was fluids(in the beginning) and my meds. My Dr has NEVER encouraged me not to eat!!! I was eating normal foods fine for a while. Meatloaf, shrimp, roast, taco meat with beans, and LOTS of other things. I couldn't eat much at a time but followed my Dr's recommendation to eat often and follow the portioning and progression in our program guide. I did that then started having problems. Even posted to ask if backwards progression was normal. Only after throwing up all solids and starting to have problems with liquids did my Dr tell me to concentrate on getting in my liquids and protein. Sound advice for even those that don't have a g-tube.

WE DO NOT CAUSE OUR STRICTURES!!!! We get enough blame from the ignorant people all around us. You should Know better!!! We don't need to come to our support sight and get it to. Did it ever occur to you that just maybe we have trouble with foods because we have strictures? Not that we get strictures from not eating because we CAN'T!!! DUH!!!!!!

I am not sure where you get your information but strictures have nothing to do with being fed through a G Tube. She is eating food as well but due to some medical complications that you know nothing about, she needs the extra nutrition.  This in no way gave her a stricture. A stricture is one of the most common post op complications and no one knows why we get them, it is actually an overhealing and a collection of scar tissue that causes swelling so bad that the stoma closes.  As yes, she has food going through it.

It also isn't normal to have fiber at the beginning - we are normally on liquids for weeks and then progress to pureeds, by the time we get to solids, most people already have the strictures.

Sleep tight on your good drugs and have a good tomorrow.  glad you are on the right side of all this again.

Thanks, Price!! I think that now I'll go lie down! lol